Notes: This is a
modified AK-47 used by Bulgaria, mostly by reserve and police forces since it
had been largely supplanted by a Bulgarian-built version of the AK-74.(Instead of using the AKM, the Bulgarians decided to go with their own,
improved version of the AK-47.)The
AK-47M1 differs from the original AK-47 primarily in using plastics or
compressed resin where the AK-47 used wood, and has a mount on top of the
receiver for a telescopic, laser, or night sight.This makes the AK-47M1 considerably lighter than the original AK-47.In addition, the underside of the handguard has a clip-on mount for the
GP-25 grenade launcher.Internally,
the AK-47’s mechanism is retained, but many of the parts are made of light alloy
instead of stamped steel.The
muzzle of the AK-47M1 is also equipped with a flash suppressor.The magazines normally issued with the AK-47M1 are also plastic, but it
can still take the old steel magazines.As the typical Bulgarian soldier is smaller than his Russian counterpart,
the butt of the AK-47M1 is shorter.
An AKS-47M1 is also made, which is a folding-stock version (this is a metal
stock, but not the same kind as used on the Russian AKMS).Finally, a version of the AK-47M1 modified to fire .22 Long Rifle
ammunition is made, for training purposes.

The RKKS is an
AK-47M1 with a longer, heavier barrel; it can be used as an automatic rifle or
as a platoon sharpshooter’s weapon, and can mount any sort of Russian, Chinese,
or Warsaw Pact optical sights.The
RKKS is equipped with a bipod, and can use the 40-round extended magazines or
75-round drums of the RPK (or Bulgarian plastic equivalent magazines).

The AKS-47S is
similar in concept to the Russian AKS-74U, being an AK-74M1 with a chopped
barrel and a folding stock.They
were produced in small numbers until the fall of the Iron Curtain, when
production was ramped up for export (using the name Hobo).Though the AKS-47S has a beefy muzzle brake, it still suffers the
problems of a powerful cartridge in a short-barreled weapon: high muzzle blast,
sharp recoil, and a greatly-reduced range.

Twilight 2000
Notes:The existence of the AKS-47S
was virtually unknown in the West until the Twilight War, when examples were
captured and found to not be AKS-74U variants as previously thought.The AKS-47S was never produced in large numbers, though.The name “Hobo” was never applied to the AKS-47S in the Twilight 2000
world.

Merc 2000 Notes:
The AKS-74S became a favorite among many special operations units, as well as
criminals and terrorists, so much so that stray examples of the Hobo could often
not have their origin positively identified.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

AK-47M1

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.3 kg

30

$811

AKS-47M1

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.15 kg

30

$823

AK-47M1 Trainer

.22 Long Rifle

3.12 kg

10

$224

RKKS

7.62mm Kalashnikov

5.74 kg

30, 40, 75D

$1419

AKS-47S

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.06 kg

30

$794

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

AK-47M1

5

4

2-Nil

6

4

9

46

AKS-47M1

5

4

2-Nil

5/6

4

10

46

AK-47M1 Trainer

SA

1

Nil

6

1

Nil

34

RKKS

5

4

2-3-Nil

7

3

8

71

RKKS (With Bipod)

5

4

2-3-Nil

7

2

4

92

AKS-74S

5

3

2-Nil

3/4

2

5

15

Arsenal AK-74M1

Notes: In the
early 1980s, Bulgaria decided to switch to a locally-produced version of the
AK-74 assault rifle that was at that time being adopted by the rest of the
Warsaw Pact nations.The AK-74M1
generally conforms to late-production standards of the AK-74, but uses different
plastics and production methods better suited to Bulgarian manufacturing
methods.It is otherwise virtually
identical to its Russian counterpart.In the late 1990s, the Bulgarians began producing a version of the
AK-74M1 in 5.56mm NATO caliber, both for export to other countries and in
anticipation of joining NATO.The
rumor mill has said that large numbers of these 5.56mm-firing versions have been
bought by the US to equip some units of new Iraqi military and police forces.Folding-stock AKS-74M1 models are also built in both calibers.

The Arsenal
AKS-74U is basically a Bulgarian equivalent of the Russian AKS-74U short assault
rifle.It does have a slightly
longer barrel than the AKS-74U, though the overall dimensions are in fact
slightly smaller.The main
difference between the AK-74U and the AKS-74U is that most AK-74Us have been
produced in 5.56mm NATO caliber, due to the late introduction of the weapon
(late 1990s).It should be noted
that the Bulgarian military refers to this weapon as a submachinegun instead of
a “short assault rifle” or carbine.

In mid-2009,
Arsenal’s US facility began to manufacture and sell a civilian equivalent of the
AK-74M1, called the SGL-31.It is
essentially an AK-75M1 with semiautomatic fire-only capability.It is otherwise identical to the AK-74M1.

Twilight 2000
Notes: The 5.56mm NATO version was never produced in the Twilight 2000 timeline
(since Bulgaria never had a chance to join NATO).Very few AK-74Us were produced, and most of these were built shortly
before the start of the Twilight War.They are exclusively in 5.45mm caliber.The SGL-31 does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Merc 2000 Notes:Bulgaria would probably also not joined NATO in the Merc 2000 world;
however, the 5.56mm NATO versions were still produced as export products, though
in smaller numbers. Arsenal USA does not exist in the Merc 2000 timeline, nor
does the SGL-31.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

AK-74M1

5.45mm Kalashnikov

3.18 kg

30

$560

AKS-74M1

5.45mm Kalashnikov

3.18 kg

30

$580

AK-74M1

5.56mm NATO

3.18 kg

30

$610

AKS-74M1

5.56mm NATO

3.18 kg

30

$630

AK-74U

5.45mm Kalashnikov

2.7 kg

30

$498

AK-74U

5.56mm NATO

2.7 kg

30

$548

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

AK-74M1 (5.45mm)

5

3

1-Nil

5

2

5

46

AKS-74M1 (5.45mm)

5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

5

46

AK-74M1 (5.56mm)

5

3

1-Nil

5

2

5

41

AKS-74M1 (5.56mm)

5

3

1-Nil

4/5

2

5

41

AK-74U (5.45mm)

5

2

1-Nil

3/4

2

5

15

AK-74U (5.56mm)

5

2

1-Nil

3/4

2

5

13

Arsenal AR

Notes: This
family of assault rifles is basically improved versions of the AK-74/AKM, a la
the AK-100 series.They were
designed with Bulgaria’s inclusion into NATO in mind, and most are chambered
exclusively in 5.56mm NATO.The
basic rifle, the AR-M1, looks externally almost identical to the AK-100;
internally, parts have closer tolerances and the receiver is milled using hot
die forging.There is a mount for
NATO or former Warsaw Pact night vision devices, optical sights, or laser aiming
modules available, but this is not a standard feature.The AR-M1F is the same weapon with a folding wire stock.The AR-M2F is an abbreviated AR-M1F with a much shorter barrel and a
muzzle brake to cut what would otherwise be high recoil and massive muzzle
blast.The AR-SF is an even
shorter-barreled version of the AR-M1F; it is designed for close assault
situations and is basically an assault rifle cut down to submachinegun size,
similar to the AKSU.An attachment
point for a laser aiming module is an option, though not standard equipment.

The AR-M4SF is
basically a tricked-out AR-SF.The
AR-M4SF features a laser aiming module as standard equipment; also standard is a
sleeve with a flashlight inside (near the muzzle).Both of these can be turned on without moving the shooter’s hands from
their places on the rifle.Unlike
other folding-stock members of the AR family, the folding stock on the AR-M4SF
is stronger, more substantial, and folds to the right instead of under the
weapon.An attachment point for a
night vision sight (NATO or former Warsaw Pact) is also included, though the
device is not.A special sling is
included which allows the AR-M4SF to be placed quickly into action, yet carried
without interfering with other activities.The muzzle brake can be easily detached, allowing a silencer or
suppressor to be attached instead.

The AR-M7F is
basically an AR-M1 in which the plastic stock folds to the side instead of being
fixed.Unlike the AR-M1, the AR-M7F
also comes in a version chambered for 7.62mm Kalashnikov.A mount for night vision devices, optics, or laser aiming modules is
standard on this model.The AR-M9
and AR-M9F are basically heavier versions of the AR-M1 and AR-M1F; they also
have the mount for optics, night vision devices, and laser aiming modules
standard instead of options.The
stock on the AR-M9 is made of stronger plastic; the stock of the AR-M9F is also
stronger and folds to the side instead of underneath (similar to that of the
AR-M4SF).The magazines are
transparent, and come in two sizes.

Twilight 2000
Notes: None of these rifles exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Merc 2000 Notes:
These rifles are unlikely to exist in Merc 2000, since in that timeline Bulgaria
never joined NATO.

Weapon

Ammunition

Weight

Magazines

Price

AR-M1

5.56mm NATO

3.62 kg

30

$565

AR-M1

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.62 kg

30

$812

AR-M1F

5.56mm NATO

3.67 kg

30

$585

AR-M1F

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.67 kg

30

$832

AR-M2F

5.56mm NATO

3.55 kg

30

$576

AR-M2F

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.5 kg

30

$835

AR-SF

5.56mm NATO

3 kg

30

$534

AR-SF

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.38 kg

30

$771

AR-M4SF

5.56mm NATO

3.38 kg

30

$934

AR-M4SF

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.38 kg

30

$793

AR-M7F

5.56mm NATO

3.84 kg

30

$585

AR-M7F

7.62mm Kalashnikov

3.84 kg

30

$832

AR-M9

5.56mm NATO

3.85 kg

20, 30

$565

AR-M9F

5.56mm NATO

3.85 kg

20, 30

$585

Weapon

ROF

Damage

Pen

Bulk

SS

Burst

Range

AR-M1 (5.56mm)

5

3

1-Nil

6

2

6

40

AR-M1 (7.62mm)

5

4

2-Nil

6

4

9

46

AR-M1F (5.56mm)

5

3

1-Nil

4/6

2

6

40

AR-M1F (7.62mm)

5

4

2-Nil

5/6

4

9

46

AR-M2F (5.56mm)

5

2

1-Nil

3/5

2

4

27

AR-M2F (7.62mm)

5

3

2-Nil

4/5

3

7

31

AR-SF (5.56mm)

5

2

1-Nil

3/4

2

4

14

AR-SF (7.62mm)

5

3

2-Nil

3/5

2

5

16

AR-M4SF (5.56mm)

5

2

1-Nil

3/4

2

4

14

AR-M4SF (7.62mm)

5

3

2-Nil

3/5

2

5

16

AR-M7F (5.56mm)

5

3

1-Nil

4/6

2

6

41

AR-M7F (7.62mm)

5

4

2-Nil

5/6

3

8

46

AR-M9

5

3

1-Nil

6

2

6

41

AR-M9F

5

3

1-Nil

4/6

2

6

41

Arsenal Civilianzed AKs

The SAM-7F is a
version of the AK designed for export sales, especially to the US.It is actually the latest civilian AK design from Arsenal; some 20
civilian designs have been made and exported since 2000, including in Arsenal’s
US facility. (The SAM-7F is actually manufactured in Las Vegas.)The SAM-7F basically follows the AR-M1 design, but cannot mount a bayonet
and has a beefy but compact muzzle brake at the end of the 16.3-inch barrel.The barrel is also cold-hammer forged. The SAM-7R uses a milled receiver
and receiver cover, but modern manufacturing methods have made this receiver
much lighter than the milled receiver of the AK-47.It is still heavier than most export AK clones, and the barrel is also
heavier. A milled receiver, however, is more rigid and robust than a stamped
receiver. Due to the heavier barrel used, the handguards cannot be used on most
AKs, export or service models. The stock, pistol grip, and handguards are
polymer, and the handguards are ribbed for a better grip.The buttplate is also ribbed and made of rubber. Sights are the same as
those of the AR-M1, which are basically standard AK sights. The SAM-7F-84 is
virtually the same, but has a folding stock and comes in a variety of colors –
desert sand, plum, OD green, and black.

The SAM-7R-66 was
designed to have (at the time) features not found in imported rifles to America.The SAM-7R-66 receiver is milled from a hot die blank using a 5-ton
press. The furniture is largely polymer, including the stock, which also has a
trapdoor in the butt for a cleaning kit and batteries. A cleaning rod is also
provided in the usual place up front. This, according to Arsenal, produces a
better-quality and lighter receiver than a standard milled receiver. The
handguards are equipped with a PR-01 Picatinny Quad-Rail.The entire rifle is designed to exceed Mil-Spec standards.The magazine provided with the rifle is a 10-round magazine, but the
SAM-7R-66 can take any AK/RPK-type magazines.The 16.3-inch barrel is cold-hammer forged and is tipped with a compact
muzzle brake.

The SLR-104-52
is called the “Krinkov,” despite it’s 16-inch barrel and lack of a muzzle
device.This is perhaps due to it’s
short-stroke gas piston system and AK-74U-length handguards, but the long
exposed barrel looks strange and makes the barrel susceptible to bending and
warping due to heating.The
SLR-104-52 has a side-folding full polymer stock and polymer furniture colored
to look like dark wood, though it isn’t.The handguards are ribbed for a better grip, though the pistol grip is of
standard AK form and measurements.
The lower handguard features a stainless steel heat shield. The sights are
standard AK-74M1. It has a two-stage trigger and has a 16-inch cold-hammer
forged barrel which has a chromed bore.Note that Arsenal’s website says that the SLR-104-52 has a muzzle brake,
but I have yet to see a picture of the SLR-104-52 where there is any sort of
muzzle device mounted; I have therefore not included one in the stats below. The
SLR-104-52 is equipped with the standard AK-type left-hand scope rail.The SLR-104-32 is essentially the same, but has standard-length
handguards, a medium-stroke gas piston, and a 16.3-inch barrel tipped with a
standard gas block and an AK-74M1-type muzzle brake.This rifle is also known as the SLR-104FR.

The SLR-107-31,
also known as the SLR-107FR, is basically an AK built with modern features,
construction, and manufacturing methods in Arsenal’s facilities in Las Vegas,
Nevada.It is basically a
SAM-7-series rifle built to Mil-Spec standards and with a stamped receiver
stamped in some placed to a width as little as 1 millimeter; it is the only
component made in Bulgaria.The
16.25-inch barrel is cold-hammer forged and the bore is chrome-lined, and has an
AK-74-type muzzle brake. (The muzzle brake is removable and other muzzle devices
may be mounted except for a silencer.) It uses a two-stage trigger group, a
right-folding polymer stock similar to the AK-100 series in shape, a polymer
handguard, and polymer pistol grip; in addition, the magazines sold with the
rifle are polymer.The SLR-107-31
can, however, take any AK/RPK-compatible magazine, except for Romanian and
Yugoslavian magazines, which will not seat and lock properly in an SLR-107-31’s
magazine well.Other features
include a stainless steel heat shield inside the handguards, sights taken from
the AK-47M1, with a left-side sight rail and a Picatinny rail above the
receiver.The stock has a trapdoor
compartment for a cleaning kit and batteries, and the rifle also has a cleaning
rod in the usual AK place.The
SLR-107-31 has bayonet lugs. Finish is in black or Desert Sand.The SLR-107-34 has a folding skeletonized metal stock, but is identical
to the SLR-107-31 for game purposes.

It should be
noted that due to high-quality of Arsenal’s civilian rifles and their generally
reasonable price, there is (as of the time I write this in July 2017) a shortage
of Arsenal civilian rifles in the US and other Western countries, and neither
their Bulgarian nor their US facilities can keep up with the demand.Waiting lists are long, and dealer stocks are running out or have already
run out.